For those who participated in Field Day 2006 with multiple stations (Class 2 and higher), and who used computers for logging, CW sending, digital modes, etc., I have the following questions. Many thanks.

What was your entry class? (e.g., 2B, 3E, 4F, 6A, etc.)

What software package did you use?

Does the software work in a network environment and pass info among the different stations?

If yes, did you use a wireless or wired LAN?

Does the software track QSO count by operator? (Especially important for GOTA bonus points.)

Does it generate a list of stations worked, sorted alphabetically by band?

For those who participated in Field Day 2006 with multiple stations (Class 2 and higher), and who used computers for logging, CW sending, digital modes, etc., I have the following questions. Many thanks.

What software package did you use? ---------------------------------N3FJP Field Day Log for all but two of the HF stations + NA for those two stations.------------------------------------

Does the software work in a network environment and pass info among the different stations? -----------------------------------------Did not network. Each station was restricted to its own bands and modes so no need to share a database.--------------------------------------------------

If yes, did you use a wireless or wired LAN? NA

Does the software track QSO count by operator? (Especially important for GOTA bonus points.) -----------------------------------------------N3FJP does. But do not know about NA. Used N3FJP on the GOTA.

Does it generate a list of stations worked, sorted alphabetically by band? ------------------------------YES, both packages------------------------------

Did it work the entire FD period without hanging or crashing? ------------------------------------YES, both packages------------------------------------

Will you use the same software next year, or try a different package?-------------------------------------Probably stay with the same setup.

We maintained separate logs on each individual machine and merged the logs afterward.

Our hard core CW ops used NA, a DOS program, as all Windows programs occassionally "stutter" when sending CW unless you used an outboard device like Winkey.

Field Day Software Survey Replyby K3AN on August 4, 2006 Mail this to a friend!For those who participated in Field Day 2006 with multiple stations (Class 2 and higher), and who used computers for logging, CW sending, digital modes, etc., I have the following questions. Many thanks.

What was your entry class? (e.g., 2B, 3E, 4F, 6A, etc.)

2A

What software package did you use?

N3FJP

Does the software work in a network environment and pass info among the different stations?

Yes

If yes, did you use a wireless or wired LAN?

Wireless

Does the software track QSO count by operator? (Especially important for GOTA bonus points.)

Yes

Does it generate a list of stations worked, sorted alphabetically by band?

N3FJP software will do what you want. The best feature is that the exchange data from other bands or modes is available when you type in the call on a band that you have not worked that station on. Then completing the exchange is easier. We merged logs from the other station every operator rest break. You could also use a network, but it means more complication. For more than two stations a wireless network would be worth it because the data from the other stations would really reduce the number of repeats on the QSO exchange.

The nice thing about N3FJP is that there is virtually no learning curve. For SSB, you just sit down and operate. For CW, it's almost that easy, just hang a brief note telling the op how to bring up the list of preprogrammed function keys (of course someone familiar with the software should set up the messages ahead of time and maintain consistency from machine to machine). This is nice when you have people that are not familiar with contesting or contesting software. Even for those who commonly use contesting software but not this package, it's nice for the same reason.

Didn't get to operate FD this year. In the past,ran with either 2A or 8A clubs and often used WR9R's program. But there doesn't seem to be a recent update or upgrade in the past few years, to reflect FD rule changes and degrades. It may be many copies were considered freeware and not shareware, and the minimal contribution requested as shareware was never received by the author. A pity. It's still preferred by many, but would require quite a bit of paper manipulation to use now, if there's been no further update. Never even tried it for networking, it was always used for stand-alone operating positions and the compilation and file merges were done post-FD.

I used WR9R this year. We were 1B 2 op, so not much to worry about in terms of exhanging data with other stations. The primary reason we chose WR9R is it can run on a DOS only laptop. My pentium laptop running linux or windoze draws 30 watts. Over the course of the contest, this amounts to 20 times or so more power than the QRP rig draws. I've got a 486 laptop with a monochrome screen that only draws 600mA at 12V, which is only 7 watts. It continues to operate below 10V, where a gel cell is considered dead. Big advantage when you're solar/battery- no inverters necessary, just a direct connect. I achieved that power reduction in part by taking out the internal hard drive and using a compact flash card in the PCMCIA slot. No moving parts. In years past I've also used my Palm III and NK0E's GoLog software, with the CW keying interface. This is a truly QRP setup, as the AAA's in the Palm Pilot and 9V in the interface will last the entire FD. But using grafitti to enter calls and reports and the tiny screen isn't a lot of fun for operating that long, so a full size keyboard and screen is a big plus. So while the N3FJP, et al, software is nice and easy to operate, you need a computer that draws half as much Ah as a 100W rig! What I would like to see is a new and improved version of WR9R, whether it be DOS, Linux, or whatever. One that doesn't have the contest particulars 'hard coded', rather can be modified via ini or config file, or setup screen. And, one with better CW timing (WR9R's is hosed, and non adjustable). Don't need no mouse, networking or pretty screen colors. No need for the overhead of windoze or linux X. This is one time a bigger/faster/better machine isn't what you want. Need to stock up on 486 laptops just for FD!

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